If you are going to Chiang Mai, Thailand, consider staying at the Butterfly Resort, ten minutes from the old town centre set amidst lush tropical gardens and ponds, along the Ping River. Butterfly is a boutique hotel resort that affords a lot of privacy and tranquility as there are only 19 villas with spacious rooms and bathrooms. Each room is decorated in Thai style with large beds, canopies, and private balconies. We stayed at Butterfly last January (2011) and enjoyed the serenity and privacy of the place.

Because there are not many guests and the grounds are quite large (there is a vast lawn, swimming pool and jacuzzi), with many sitting areas and rooms around the property, you can sit quietly with a book and a drink without being disturbed. It is an ideal place to relax and wind down after a day of sightseeing and battling the crowds in Chiang Mai’s lively markets.

The only drawback to staying at the Butterfly is that it is 10 to 15 minutes by car from the center of Chiang Mai so you have to take the resort’s free van shuttle (they have a regular schedule) which stops just outside the old city. You can take a taxi or tuk-tuk if you do not wish to be bound to the shuttle schedule. The Butterfly Resort is perfect for those who will spend most of their time in Chiang Mai going on excursions outside the city. There is ample parking and the roads around the resort are not as busy as in the centre.

Peak season rates range between 3500 and 5000 Baht per night (in January 2011, the rate of exchange was 30 Baht to US$), so about $120-$180 per night.

Butterfly Resort
181 Moo 6. T. San Pee Sua
A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50300
Thailand
+66 53 115270

If you are going to Chiang Mai and want a more tranquil, peaceful holiday, check out the Hill Lodge, an intimate, luxurious retreat in the hills above the city. Hill Lodge has 6 villas and 2 suites set amidst lush tropical vegetation and a beautiful lotus pond. It also houses “Le Beaulieu”, which is a branch of the famous French restaurant in Bangkok. Prices start at 4000 baht (US$180, €120).

Chiang Mai is a city of Buddhist temples, the oldest of which were constructed in the 13th century. The climate in Chiang Mai is temperate because of its higher elevation. The rainy season lasts from June through October, so it’s best to visit Chiang Mai from December through May.

Hill Lodge
140 M.5 T. Banpong
Hangdong
Chiangmai, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0)53 365 011
www.hill-lodge.com
Email the hotel to inquire about a booking

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